Buskers Burrow
Situated at the eastern end of The Corso - the heart and soul of Manly, a suburb in the northern beaches of Sydney - is the Buskers Burrow.
The brainchild of Paddy Roach, The Burrow, as it is more commonly known, enables a wide variety of musicians and street performers the opportunity to show their skills, entertain the locals and many tourists, and earn a healthy living at the same time. There are the regular players, collectively known as Paddy's Troupe, plus an assortment of oncers, repeaters and Paddy's Troupe wannabees all keen to display and develop their talents.
The Burrow is strategically placed about 50 metres from Manly’s famed surf beach and a hop, skip and a jump away from The Staines pub. It's not uncommon to see one of the entertainers pop in for a beer and pop out for a busk.
Next time you visit Manly and experience the spectacular surf beach, the friendly locals, bush trails, sweeping harbour views and the hive of activity in The Corso, pay a visit to The Buskers Burrow. And feel free to suggest a favourite song as Paddy and his troupe will do their darndest to perform it.
Now, let's meet the regulars ..........
Paddy Roach
Since making his busking debut on the main street of Alice Springs when he was nine years old, Paddy has travelled around, and performed in, virtually every part of Australia. But it’s his beloved Buskers Burrow in Manly where he has pulled up stumps, though he does head back home to Far North Queensland at least twice a year to see his close-knit family.
Paddy's brainchild is to launch a national busking competition where performers from around the country come together for an annual Australian Street Entertainers Championship, which he has labelled "ASEC". The Manly mayor is keen on the concept but one of the councillors, Jack O'Gorman, is pouring cold water on the idea. Jack, a local retail outlet ownere, covertly operates an illegal SP bookmaking operation and his only interest in anything is making a buck. And with ASEC he sees a goldmine but wants the revenue for himself. Paddy is awake to Jack's shenanigans and is determined to launch ASEC on his terms. Time will tell.
Ronnie Galah
When he's not busking at The Burrow or socialising with anyone and everyone, Ronnie likes to spend his time with a fishing rod in his hand. He has a proclivity for Palm Beach, 30 odd kilomtres north of Manly. But his main love is meeting people, especially newcomers so if you happen to hear someone utter "me ol' china", it's bound to be Ronnie. Make sure you say hello because he will welcome you like the flowers in May.
Sherese Murray
Paddy was over the moon when Sherese arrived from Alice Springs to join him in The Burrow. It wasn’t just because they are close cousins but he knew The Burrow would benefit from her vast talents.
Like Paddy, Sherese is proficient in multiple instruments - drums, guitar, piano, trumpet, harmonica,saxophone - with a powerful contralto singing voice. She is also very affable and accommodating with a colossal repertoire so if you see her in The Burrow and you have a song you’d like her to perform, you can guarantee she will oblige.
Ti
Ti (pronounced “Tea”) is known for his constant smile, geniality and love of playing the didgeridoo and a play on words. So when he arrived at The Burrow and looked across the Corso to see the Tea and Biscuits (TAB) cafe, he immediately quipped to Paddy that they should open a Ti and Buskers cafe. Of course he was joking but it still brought a sharp rebuke from Paddy as his respect and admiration for Carla is profuse.
Ti is an eternal optimist and sees the day when Australia’s favourite musical instrument will be the didgeridoo. And if you mention to him that you like it, he will teach you how to play, free of charge.
THE TWO TENORS (Jeff and Hampton)
At first glance Jeff and Hampton are chalk and cheese: Jeff is 6' 4", thinner than a drink of water and has a receding hairline. Hampton, on the other hand, is 5'5", portly, verging on obese, with a thick mane of dark brown hair.
But what they have in common is they can both sing - brilliantly. And when they do it together you feel the planets have aligned. There is a good chance, at a time in the not-too-distant future, you will see them at the Opera House in a prominent musical, but for now, The Burrow is where you will hear their majestic intonations.
SOPRANOS
After meeting two years ago at the Sydney Conservatorium, where Rita is pursuing a Bachelor of Music and Kayley is in her final postgraduate year of a Master of Music Studies, the two sopranos have been almost inseparable ever since.
While they agree on almost everything, the one issue of difference is State of Origin: Rita, hailing from Queensland is an ardent Maroons supporter while Kayley is equally as loyal to her barnstorming Blues. They are also working on performing a new song at The Burrow with Ti on didgeridoo. They took a liking to the pun-loving Ti when he quipped their high Cs should be performed on the high seas, something they hope to do one day.